Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, and I don't own Kakashi Hatake. Sigh.

Okay, this is hopefully where things pick up the pace. Remember, I'm still open to suggestions, like with my other stories, and I'd love it if you reviewed :)

Recently, I set up a Beta-reader account, so, feel free to check it out.

Enjoy, and review :)

Torturing Kakashi

I just stood there, glaring at Sakura. Upon seeing this, she only laughed harder, going onto her knees on the floor. Tears were pouring down her face, and she was smacking the ground in her amusement.

"You... left... Ichi Ichi... oh my god!... in Training field... 44! Omigod... that's the best thing yet! Hahahahaha!" She collapsed into another fit of laughter, and I just stood there – again – with my arms folded, head cocked to the right, and tapping my right foot.

Tsunade walked through the door, holding two trays. When she saw Sakura on the floor, laughing, and me glaring at her, she chuckled to herself. "What did you do this time, Kakashi?"

Sakura turned her head toward Tsunade, still laughing hysterically.

"He... he... omigod! Kakashi... left... Hahahahaha! In... whew... Hahahahaha!" Sakura couldn't complete her sentence, and Tsunade looked at me with an eyebrow raised, laughing slightly at the site before her.

"Care to elaborate, Kakashi?"

I sighed, and uncrossed my arms. "I left Ichi Ichi on Training Field 44, and Sakura hasn't got over it in the half an hour that she's been laughing. If anyone's going to die of laughter, it'll be Sakura."

Tsunade started laughing. "You? The great Copy Nin left his beloved in a field? What is the world coming to?"

"Dunno, but I'm not sure I like it..."

Tsunade started to laugh, but quickly sobered up. "Anyway, here's your food. If you need me, just scream."

"Sure." Sakura's laughter had died away by this point, but she still kept snickering. Moving over to where Tsunade had left the trays, I picked them up and examined the contents, moving away as the steam came into contact with my face – though it was masked, I could feel the heat as though my face were naked. Never a good thing.

"Sakura, sit down. Dinner."

She sighed, then sat down on the couch, and I slide down beside her.

"Sensei? Not that I'm not grateful, because I am, but why do you care so much? I mean, sure, Naruto and Sasuke worry about me, like I worry about them, but why this? Why do you sit in my dorm? Why not get someone else to? Don't answer if you don't want to. I was just curious."

I sat there, chewing on my pizza slowly. After a while, I swallowed and slowly looked at Sakura. Studying her face, I sat back, resting my back on her couch. "Sakura? It pains me to say this, but I actually don't know."

Sakura 'hmmm'ed thoughtfully. "Cool."

Her tone said it was anything but cool. We continued to eat in silence, and my hand felt empty. As did my book pouch. I started pondering over Naruto and Sasuke's relationship. Then, inspiration struck. Putting the pizza down, I stood up, and put my hands together in a kind of hand sign. A moment later, there were two Kakashi's. "Go find Ichi Ichi in Training Field 44. Be back soon!" I didn't need to say any more, because he – me – knew what I was talking about.

My copy jumped out of the suddenly open window. Sitting back down, I took another look around Sakura's room.

Once we'd finished eating, and Sakura had chucked the rubbish down the disposal chute, my copy came back. I disappeared into the bathroom, composing myself. I heard a poof, and came out of the bathroom. "Well?"

Sakura shook her head. "You couldn't find it. Sorry, Kakashi – Sensei."

I dropped my head in defeat. I'd expected it, so why did I feel so empty? A hand was laid on my arm. "Sensei, you look upset. Why not just buy a new one?" I looked at her, outraged.

"I could never! That's a limited first edition copy, one of 20 ever made, signed by the original author! It's priceless. I'll just keep looking."

Sakura pursed her lips, tapping her chin in a cute way. She reminded me of a child when she did that. Tapping her foot rhythmically, glancing at the ceiling.

Then it hit me.

Sakura Haruno, the girl I had fallen for, was just that.

A girl.

She could never be anything more, or anything less.

A tear came to my eye, but I wiped it away. She knew how I felt, and I knew how she felt, but we could never be.

I had to talk to Tsunade. Right now.

"Sorry, Sakura. I've got to go now. I've got to prepare Team 7's training for tomorrow." And without saying another word, I turned to her window and jumped, using chakra to land safely.

Sakura's PoV

From when the copy came through the window.

I watched as Kakashi disappeared into the bathroom. His posture was tense, and he was fingering his book pouch. I turned to the copy, and whispered something in his ear.

"I'm going to hate you for this." Kakashi – copy told me, smiling, and handed the book over. It was slightly wet, but I could dry it later.

For all the times that Kakashi had turned up late, I was going to get payback by hiding his precious book for a few days. I hid the book under a cushion on my couch. I knew I was being unfair to Kakashi – Sensei, but this was too good an opportunity to surpass.

"Thanks. Sorry about this, really." Kakashi – copy shrugged, and disappeared with a poof. Smiling to myself slightly, I watched as the real Kakashi came out of the bathroom. I put on a disappointed face.

"Well?" He was impatient. Oh, wow. Should I be doing this? I mean, he might really hate me for it, and then I'd lose him forever.

"You couldn't find it. Sorry, Kakashi – Sensei." I watched as his head dropped in defeat, and his fists tensed up. I laid a hand on his arm in a comforting gesture, wanting so badly to give him his book. "Sensei, you look upset. Why not just buy a new one?"

His head shot up, and he looked angered. No... outraged. Okay, now he's seriously freaking me out. Never before had he lost control like that.

"I could never! That's a limited first edition copy, one of 20 ever made, signed by the original author! It's priceless. I'll just keep looking."

I thought for a minute, striking my favourite pose.

"Sorry, Sakura. I got to go now. I've got to prepare Team 7's training for tomorrow." And before I could react, he'd gone. Just like that.

I dropped to the floor in disbelief. Kakashi had looked like a part of him had just died. I pulled out Ichi Ichi, and held it in my hands. Tomorrow. I'll give it back tomorrow. Over lunch. With Naruto and Sasuke, and, that way, he can't be too angry.

Back to Kakashi's PoV :)

After he jumps from the window.

I ran back to my apartment, before picking up the phone and calling Tsunade. I had her on speed dial, for if I ever needed her, I just had to press a button. Number 7. Same number as my team. On the third ring, she picked up.

'What's the matter, Kakashi?'

'I need to talk to you. It's about Sakura. Before you say anything, she's not injured, but I've just realised something. And, for once, I don't know what to do. Help.'

'Okay. I'm coming over. See you in two.'

The word 'literally' crossed my mind, before I unlocked the door. She was here already.

"Alright, what's up?"

I shuffled my feet, before lunging past her and shutting the door, then locking it.

"I think I'm in love with Sakura Haruno." her eyes widened to the size of plates, and she covered her mouth with her hand. Then she lowered it, ice in her eyes.

"Explain."

"Okay, but don't get mad. When we were training yesterday..." I told her everything, not giving her a chance to interrupt. When I'd finished, she stood there staring at me for a few moments. Then, a slow smile spread across her face. (Brief A/N: I've not met Tsunade yet, I'm on series 3 of Naruto, so if she's OOC, do pardon it. I have been on an official Naruto site and searched her personality, but that only goes so far).

"Well well, Kakashi. What have you gotten yourself into?" I stood there, shaking my head at her. Honestly, I had no clue. But now that she knew, I was in for a whole world of trouble. For better or for worse, I did not know.